Randolph, Holbrook charter students told to `keep their edge'

The South Shore Charter Public School Class of 2017 was the first one to attend kindergarten at the school's Longwood campus, and then the first to go all the way through the new high school there.

"We could not have chosen a better class to lead the way," said Alicia Savage, the director of the charter school.

Nine students from Randolph and two from Holbrook were among the graduates.

During the course of the somewhat free-wheeling graduation that featured quotes from everyone from former NBA great Cedric Maxwell to civil-rights activist Fannie Lou Hamer to Vin Diesel’s character in the “Fast & Furious” movie franchise, a few of the faculty talked about the class “keeping their edge” – acting confidently and continuing to be the first to push forward.

K-4 principal Ted Hirsch took that in a somewhat literal direction, giving fern fronds to students who had spent all 13 years of school in the charter system. He said that ferns grow on the edge of forests like the one that borders the campus.

“These ferns are not ordinary,” the principal said. “They’re big and beautiful.”

Angie Pepin, the 5-12 principal, told the 48 graduates that they should remember that periods such as high school and college are not just a means to an end.

“Enjoy it,” said Pepin, who sat at the front and cried during the ceremony.